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My visit of the Cartier Boutique of the Champs-Elysees
I have to confess that I usually don't go very often to the Cartier Boutique located at the 154 Avenue des Champs-Elysées. It is not because I don't like the most famous avenue in the world, but simply I find it a bit off-centered from my flat: the Capucines Boutique is much more convenient for me and more importantly, I know much better its staff.
If I forget my personal considerations, without any doubt, the location of the Champs-Elysées Boutique is strategically perfect, a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe. It is maybe the reason why this Boutique has the reputation to be more focused on tourists than on local customers. But this statement is wrong because the French clients visit it very frequently.
After 10 years of presence in this beautiful Mansion, not far from the Alberto Santos-Dumont's flat, Cartier felt the need to renovate the Boutique and to make it "up-to-date" with today's brand image. To make a long story short, everything was redesigned to make the customers' experience even more qualitative and comfortable.
The main difference with the previous layout is the feeling that there are more space and even more important, more light. The Boutique seems to be bathed in light thanks to the large windows on the front and the side of the building. The lights are, in my point of view, the guiding principle of the new architecture of the Boutique. Bruno Moinard, who designed it, managed to play with the outside and interior lights, to make them combine to put on stage the different displays of the Boutique.
It is also important to mention the magnificent 5 meters chandeliers created by Régis Mathieu. Impossible to miss them: the first one is located just after the entrance, the second by the stairs leading to the first floor.
Actually, the purpose of the renovation works was not only to change the decoration style. A very significant alteration was brought to the building. Previously, the entrance door was located on the left side. Now, it moved to the center of the building and if I'm not wrong, was enlarged. The visitors directly enter the main room through this magnificent gate, discover the stunning first chandelier and can feel the depth of the Boutique with the stairs on the background.
The Boutique itself is well organized. The groundfloor is dedicated to jewelry without forgetting a room with a specific focus on the bridal jewels. The first floor gathers the watches and accessories collections. But there is also a very special room, almost hidden... a room I had to visit!
This room, which can be converted in a VIP room has a role which is not vey well known by Cartier fans: you can organize an appointment with a master-perfumer, a "nose" who blends perfumes to create your bespoke fragrance! This room is really amazing with all the vials behind the chair... in this context, it would be easy to speak about a very original atmosphere and yes... there is a very special one but not only for the smell!
The large side rooms are dedicated to the watches collection, for women on the left of the stairs and for men and high horology on the right. The Boutique offers a wide range of high-horology pieces including the always spectacular Rotonde Double-Tourbillon Mysterieux.
Time is coming to follow me, to enter the Boutique and to discover its 650 square meters.
You will see a lot of panthers on the pictures! Did you spot it on the necklace?
One of the side rooms dedicated to jewels:
Getting closer to the stairs...
The second chandelier by the stairs:
And my Stainless-Steel Caliber Diver. Obviously, I could only do the visit of the Boutique with a Cartier watch on the wrist!
Several large Cartier boutiques can be visited in Paris. Each of them has its own atmosphere and purpose. The most prestigious one is obviously the one of the Rue de la Paix. It has to be visited in top priority. I have my own habbits at the Capucine Boutique whose location is very central. But we don't have to forget this Champs-Elysees Boutique. Thanks to its renovation works, its clever organization and the beauty of its decoration, it is a place to visit for any Cartier fan. So if you spend a few days in Paris, please don't forget to dedicate a time slot to this boutique when you will be in the Champs-Elysees/Place de l'Etoile area. You will enjoy its design and its comfort. And believe me, it is very relaxing to escape from the crowd of the Champs-Elysees and to enter a refined place!
I would like to thank a lot the Cartier Presse France team.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-06-20 15:27:19
If I forget my personal considerations, without any doubt, the location of the Champs-Elysées Boutique is strategically perfect, a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe. It is maybe the reason why this Boutique has the reputation to be more focused on tourists than on local customers. But this statement is wrong because the French clients visit it very frequently.
After 10 years of presence in this beautiful Mansion, not far from the Alberto Santos-Dumont's flat, Cartier felt the need to renovate the Boutique and to make it "up-to-date" with today's brand image. To make a long story short, everything was redesigned to make the customers' experience even more qualitative and comfortable.
The main difference with the previous layout is the feeling that there are more space and even more important, more light. The Boutique seems to be bathed in light thanks to the large windows on the front and the side of the building. The lights are, in my point of view, the guiding principle of the new architecture of the Boutique. Bruno Moinard, who designed it, managed to play with the outside and interior lights, to make them combine to put on stage the different displays of the Boutique.
It is also important to mention the magnificent 5 meters chandeliers created by Régis Mathieu. Impossible to miss them: the first one is located just after the entrance, the second by the stairs leading to the first floor.
Actually, the purpose of the renovation works was not only to change the decoration style. A very significant alteration was brought to the building. Previously, the entrance door was located on the left side. Now, it moved to the center of the building and if I'm not wrong, was enlarged. The visitors directly enter the main room through this magnificent gate, discover the stunning first chandelier and can feel the depth of the Boutique with the stairs on the background.
The Boutique itself is well organized. The groundfloor is dedicated to jewelry without forgetting a room with a specific focus on the bridal jewels. The first floor gathers the watches and accessories collections. But there is also a very special room, almost hidden... a room I had to visit!
This room, which can be converted in a VIP room has a role which is not vey well known by Cartier fans: you can organize an appointment with a master-perfumer, a "nose" who blends perfumes to create your bespoke fragrance! This room is really amazing with all the vials behind the chair... in this context, it would be easy to speak about a very original atmosphere and yes... there is a very special one but not only for the smell!
The large side rooms are dedicated to the watches collection, for women on the left of the stairs and for men and high horology on the right. The Boutique offers a wide range of high-horology pieces including the always spectacular Rotonde Double-Tourbillon Mysterieux.
Time is coming to follow me, to enter the Boutique and to discover its 650 square meters.
The Boutique is located a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe:
Just after the entrance, the main room dedicated to jewelry. You can see the large spaces. Even when the Boutique is crowded, the visit remains comfortable. A good point due to its location on the Champs-Elysees!
You will see a lot of panthers on the pictures! Did you spot it on the necklace?
One of the side rooms dedicated to jewels:
One of the two spectacular chandeliers. I remind you that they are 5 meters high!
Getting closer to the stairs...
The care to details, even on the mirrors:
The second chandelier by the stairs:
The iconic Cartier Panther is watching over the Boutique!
The view on the Champs-Elysees from the first floor:
And here comes the famous VIP room dedicated to the fragrances! I would love to organize an appointment with the master-perfumer...
... and her/his skills would be required due to the numerous vials available!
This picture embodies for me one of the most exclusive sides of Cartier and explains why Cartier is such a prestigious maison:
The Panther follows us during the visit:
Another famous character is very present in the Boutique: Albero Santos-Dumont!
The right room dedicated to Men's watches and High Horology:
A plunging view from the Ladies' watches room:
The Accessories room:
The waiting-room of the customer service:
The Rotonde Double-Tourbillon Mysterieux on the wrist. I'm always under the charm of the mesmerizing tourbillon:
The PG Caliber Diver:
And my Stainless-Steel Caliber Diver. Obviously, I could only do the visit of the Boutique with a Cartier watch on the wrist!
The PG version again:
The Rotonde Day & Night: I wrote a comprehensive review about this watch several months ago:
cartier.watchprosite.com
cartier.watchprosite.com
I would like to finish the report with a wristshot of the strategic Clé which aim is to become a new best-seller in the collection:
Several large Cartier boutiques can be visited in Paris. Each of them has its own atmosphere and purpose. The most prestigious one is obviously the one of the Rue de la Paix. It has to be visited in top priority. I have my own habbits at the Capucine Boutique whose location is very central. But we don't have to forget this Champs-Elysees Boutique. Thanks to its renovation works, its clever organization and the beauty of its decoration, it is a place to visit for any Cartier fan. So if you spend a few days in Paris, please don't forget to dedicate a time slot to this boutique when you will be in the Champs-Elysees/Place de l'Etoile area. You will enjoy its design and its comfort. And believe me, it is very relaxing to escape from the crowd of the Champs-Elysees and to enter a refined place!
I would like to thank a lot the Cartier Presse France team.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-06-20 15:27:19
I drove past last week but.....
FrX
Thanks for the virtual tour.
I drove past last week or to be more precise, I was driven past as I am too scared to actually drive on the wrong side of the road around the Arc de Triomphe 
I did not know that the Champs-Elysee Cartier Boutique had been refurbished. The style is similar to the brighter modern style of boutiques recently in Singapore and Asia with duplex configuration, if possible, and the sweeping staircase overlooked by chandeliers. I felt immediately 'at home' when I saw the pictures.
In contrast, I was in the Cartier London boutique this week with the current Mrs MTF. There, they are bound by the heritage and building preservation laws, being the 2nd oldest Cartier boutique in the world. I draw a veil over what items the Mrs chose to increase my overdraft with....
But, I discovered some exclusive parfums in crystal bottles blended only for Cartier Boutiques. There were 12 varietals named after the hours on a watch. Personally, I liked the number 10 or 'X' blend...citron top note.
Regards,
MTF
In House
Hi MTF, like all the mechanical movements, these perfumes were all created InHouse, by Mathilde Laurent.
This message has been edited by Geo on 2015-06-20 23:43:02
Cartier has an InHouse nose and she was responsible for this whole collection,
as for the more mainstream collection of scents, like Pasha, Santos, Must, these were created
by outside perfumers for Cartier.
As you mentioned the London Boutique, I do have to visit that store, since it is superb and it has been too long.
GEO
This message has been edited by Geo on 2015-06-20 23:43:02
The Cartier Nose
Geo,
Thanks for the extra information .
You mentioned the Nose so I had to look. Indeed, the Gallic
nose is primed for action.
The Cartier London boutique has been refurbished but sympathetically within heritage restrictions.
Regards
Melvyn
Thanks for the extra information .
You mentioned the Nose so I had to look. Indeed, the Gallic
nose is primed for action.
The Cartier London boutique has been refurbished but sympathetically within heritage restrictions.
Regards
Melvyn